Florida city council members tear up at vote over ICE partnering with local officers
By Lindsay Kornick
Fort Myers City Council failed to pass memorandum of agreement between federal and city law enforcement officers
Some Fort Myers City Council members were in tears Monday over a vote on a memorandum of agreement between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local police.
The Florida city council met to discuss the agreement for city law enforcement to receive the training and authority to act as ICE agents to detain and arrest illegal immigrants, among other functions.
During the meeting, council members Darla Bonk and Diana Giraldo teared up as they voiced their opposition to the agreement.
Bonk’s voice broke as she described the risk of losing state and federal funds if she refused to agree.
"It is a tumultuous day and age. And this is a day I hate to be in this seat," Bonk said. "But my city is not for sale."
Giraldo feared the memorandum would be used to racially profile Hispanic citizens.
"I can't stand behind this as an immigrant, the only immigrant sitting in this council," Giraldo said.
The two grasped hands at one point in their remarks.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson argued in favor of the memorandum, emphasizing that it would not give officers the authority to go out in search of illegal immigrants "kicking in doors," but simply the ability to arrest and process illegal immigrants who had been charged or convicted of a crime.
The motion failed to pass on a 3-3 vote with one council member not in attendance.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/florida-city-council-members-tear-up-vote-over-ice-partnering-local-officers